On the eve of the first round of the UEFA Cup league stage match at home to Twente, Manchester United manager Jens Ten Hagar gave an interview to TNT Sport, giving a comprehensive analysis of his team's current situation, tactical arrangements and future goals.
Ten Hagar began by emphasizing the importance of the left winger position and singled out youngster Gana Joe for his outstanding performance. "We have to give enough attention to Gana Joe, who has shown great talent and finishing ability on the left. Looking back at past matches, Gana Joe is undoubtedly one of the players who has contributed the most goals and assists for us. Therefore, his form and ability is a factor we must take into serious consideration when selecting our starting lineup."
Talking about Champions League qualification, Ten Hagar made it clear that there are two parallel paths. "Of course we want to finish in the top four in the Premier League and qualify directly for the Champions League. But at the same time, the UEFA Cup is another important route to the Champions League for us. We must go all out to win this tournament to achieve our goal of reaching the Champions League."
In terms of team management, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of a rotation system. "Taking into account the physical and tactical needs of the players, we have to rotate at the right time. This not only helps players maintain their best condition, but also allows them to make targeted adjustments during the game according to the characteristics of their opponents." Ten Hagar also revealed that some players in the squad such as Rasmus Hoylen and Munter are not yet fully back to their best form, but the good news is that the return of Rasmus and Mason will bring more options and vitality to the team.
On the team's recent performance, Ten Hagar gave his approval. "We have made significant progress in terms of possession, such as the game against Crystal Palace which fully demonstrated our strengths. Today, we hope to further improve our performance without the ball while maintaining our possession advantage." Ten Hagar also highlighted the team's excellent play in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and the Community Shield, believing that these matches not only trained the team but also boosted the players' self-confidence.
